St. Bernardus Abt 12 - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

BeerHonky

New York

4.43/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

What a wonderful treat to enjoy on a damp evening in NYC. Found this on tap at Essex Ale House in the lower east side. Oh boy!

Poured into a traditionally wide brimmed chalice with St. Bernardus branding on it. Thick, fluffy off white head sits upon a beautiful dark purple-ish red brew. Looks like frothy, carbonated prune juice. A few highlights are peeking through on the edges of the glass.

The aroma is full of herbal, spicy, fruity yeast on top of a strong malty sweetness. Dark fruits come to mind...such as prunes, figs and raisins. Alcohol is present throughout which gives it a sort of an elixir character. This could possibly cure some of your ailments!

What I noticed first was the body and mouthfeel. Oh so very smooth and creamy with an acute, prickly carbonation. A full, sweet, but non-overwhelming caramel malt flavor glides across the palate in a wonderful, almost what seems choreographed, manner. Strong clove presence mixed again with dark fruits, but also what I might describe as a Belgian candied apple (read candi sugar). The elixir character is enhanced with faint appearances of spice flavors that remind me of nutmeg and allspice. Slight alcohol presence, but deceptively hidden.

No question that this is one of a kind and an exemplary specimen of its style. No beer geek should die before having one of these.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2007 19:34:12 | More by BeerHonky

akang

California

3.74/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 330 mL bottle into a tulip.

A: Dark reddish/brown with a little bit of head that settles down fairly quickly.

S: Hints of caramel and dark fruits (primarily cherries for me).

T: The dark fruits come through first followed by a little nuttiness. However, I was disappointed by the finish as there is a noticeable booziness that lingers.

M: Nicely carbonated and pleasing to the tongue.

O: A solid quad that is widely available, but I personally think the Rochefort 10 is better.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 21:12:54 | More by akang

Kreko7

California

4/5  rDev -10.5%

05-18-2013 17:26:47 | More by Kreko7

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4/5  rDev -10.5%

05-18-2013 16:48:05 | More by eyeenjoybeer

NJB145

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-18-2013 12:12:55 | More by NJB145

polloenfuego

Ontario (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured from a 330 ml bottle into a St. Bernardus chalice.

A: This quad pours a murky brown with some ruby hues. Upon pouring there is a small head, but this dissolves quickly leaving a small wisp and some lacing.

S: Dried fruits are prominent, and the lovely smell of Belgian yeasts are present as well.

T: The dried fruits come forward, a sweet taste but not overpoweringly so. The yeast can be tasted as well and you can certainly notice the alcohol on this beer.

M: The carbonation is good, and the beer leaves a nice feeling.

O: This is a superior example of a quad. In the same wheelhouse as Rochefort 10, it has a great flavour and body. This just confirms to me my preference for abbey beers. I would highly recommend this beer to anyone who wants an example of a quad.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 11:31:01 | More by polloenfuego

hotsudge

Ontario (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-18-2013 01:57:44 | More by hotsudge

GinsuDave

Michigan

5/5  rDev +11.9%

05-18-2013 01:10:09 | More by GinsuDave

TheConnMan

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-17-2013 19:03:06 | More by TheConnMan

EricClayton

West Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-17-2013 19:01:56 | More by EricClayton

hsaye

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-17-2013 18:42:59 | More by hsaye

athesing10

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-17-2013 14:01:25 | More by athesing10

Glider

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-17-2013 13:38:37 | More by Glider

lndsy

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-17-2013 13:01:50 | More by lndsy

chossboss

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-17-2013 04:28:22 | More by chossboss

myersk27

Indiana

4/5  rDev -10.5%

05-17-2013 03:50:18 | More by myersk27

Dave7500kl

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-16-2013 23:35:24 | More by Dave7500kl

Blashawright

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-16-2013 22:23:05 | More by Blashawright

pkenkman

Estonia

3.75/5  rDev -16.1%

05-16-2013 20:19:23 | More by pkenkman

iamnitrox

Arizona

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-16-2013 20:04:54 | More by iamnitrox

BradStokley

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-16-2013 19:37:15 | More by BradStokley

carlosega

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-16-2013 18:31:23 | More by carlosega

Westuh

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-16-2013 18:26:55 | More by Westuh

DStoked

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-16-2013 17:02:13 | More by DStoked

Rainblows

Illinois

4/5  rDev -10.5%

05-16-2013 14:38:28 | More by Rainblows